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I started my journey of blogging in 2003 — mostly to capture what I called “transitioning life’s journey”.
In 2023 I took a 3 year break from blogging, but have decided to return to it. I hope you enjoy.
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“When We Leave Our Safe Spot” mini-book.
Moody Publishers has created a free mini-book to be shared on social channels. It’s material that has been repurposed from my book The Anxious Christian, and meant to bring help during a time of uncertainty with COVID-19.
Naming, Navigating and Reframing Anxiety and Depression During COVID-19
During a time of uncertainty, such as this — COVID-19 — people’s anxiety and depression can start to increase. In early March I noticed families anxious, but eager to adjust to the demands of COVID-19, but as time wears on, I have noticed an increase in anxiety and depression. Here are some suggestions to help […]
Experimenting with a Rhythm of Work, Play and Rest Each Day — COVID-19
With everyone at home most of the day during quarantine and shelter in place, it can be challenging to find a good daily rhythm. Trying to work, play and rest at the same time, or weave back and forth between them can often cause frustration. Therefore, it’s important to think about experimenting with a daily […]
Partner Communication During High Stress — COVID-19
During times of high stress, like we are facing right now with the COVID-19 quarantine, it is no surprise that conflict is high for many couples. In this video I talk about some specific things you can do to help you navigate the high stress and conflict.
Developing Consistent Habits in Times of Uncertainty
In times of uncertainty, it is really critical to focus on key habits. It’s these habits that help us stay focused. They help us stay anchored to routine and structure, which are critical to help one navigate times of uncertainty. And right now, in the midst of COVID-19, we are facing some uncertain times. In […]
Leadership in the Age of Anxiety
It’s all quiet in my house. As it probably should. It’s 12:30am and the kids have been asleep for a few hours. Which is a challenge right now amidst COVID-19. Every day since the beginning of Spring Break has felt like a vacation to them, and it continues to feel that way, though they get […]
Breathing Practices as Essential to Navigating Anxiety
Breathing is underrated in my opinion. Because we just don’t think about it. It’s automatic, unconscious activity. But it’s also breathing that becomes a critical piece in helping us navigate anxiety. When we become anxious, our breathing often becomes shallow, which can trigger panic. In this video I talk about the importance of doing some […]
Therapy Practice Updates – COVID-19
COVID-19 is having a lot of us re-evaluate how we practice mental health. I am continuing to work with clients in person, following the recommendations of the CDC and my local county. As well as increasing the number of phone and video sessions that I am doing. Check out this video for updates to my […]
Rhett Smith 124: How to Navigate Mental Health in a Time of Uncertainty
It’s been a long time since I have done a podcast. About a year actually. I was on a break for awhile, just reading, researching, writing and focusing on other kinds of work. I had nothing new to add to the conversation so thought I would hit pause. But in light of COVID-19 and how […]
Rhett Smith 118: Possibly the Two Most Important Questions We Can Ask Ourselves
And he said, “Hagar, slave-girl, of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?” Genesis 16:8 Where have you come from? Where are you going? Perhaps these are two of the most important and fundamental questions we can ask ourselves. I appreciate that Jay Stringer brings to these questions in his phenomenal […]
Rhett Smith 116: Reframing How We Talk About Anxiety and Depression
I had the opportunity this last Monday to record a video on anxiety with another therapist, and one of the pastors at Preston Trail Community Church in Frisco. And then a few hours later, I talked to a group of parents at Legacy Christian Academy in Frisco about anxiety and depression. It’s obvious that anxiety […]
Restoration Therapy: A Concise Road Map and a Simple Tool Leads to Transformation of Anxiety and Depression
“I want to create a clear roadmap for you for next steps, and how we can go about creating change in our therapeutic work together.” “You don’t need a bunch of tools to practice. You just need one or two that you practice over and over and over again.” Two Mistakes Often Made in Therapy […]
Restoration Therapy: The Resonance Between RT and Performance Coaching in Managing Anxiety
On the night of October 18, 2015 I was unable to sleep. I tossed and turned all night, my mind filled with anxious thoughts, and an anxiety that I was unable to shake. The reason for all this anxiety was that at 7:00 am on October 19th, I would be running my first 50 mile […]
Restoration Therapy: My Journey to RT and Its Unique Position to Help Those Struggling with Anxiety and Depression
The Hideaway Experience In October 2010 I was sitting “third chair” at The Hideaway Experience in Amarillo, TX. The Hideaway Experience is a four-day marriage intensive that I had decided to go check out after hearing about it from a colleague of mine. My colleague had started doing marriage intensives with them and he couldn’t […]
Restoration Therapy: How Looking for Opportunities to Practice Through Your Anxiety Can Transform You
When I encourage people to look for opportunities to practice their anxiety, I am often given a blank stare in return. It almost sounds crazy to ask someone to practice something that is already at times, making them feel like they are crazy. But perhaps a better way to say it is, that I am […]
Restoration Therapy: The 4 Steps of RT and How They Can Change Your Life
“Deliberate practice is a behavior, and flow is an experience.” Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth When I was 21 years old and sitting alone in my college apartment, full of anxiety, but knowing my life needed to change, I had some inkling that they only way through the anxious feelings […]
Restoration Therapy: Learning to Reframe and Befriend Your Anxiety
“Learning to love ambiguity can be a very powerful, if rather counterintuitive, act. By love here, we’re not talking about falling in love or being in love. We mean love as an act. You can learn to care for and cherish ambiguity. You can invite it into your house for a while, give it a […]
Restoration Therapy: Distinguishing Between Anxiety and Fear
In October of 2016 I spoke at the first ever Restoration Therapy Summit on the topic of anxiety and fear in the Restoration Therapy model, and more specifically, trying to differentiate between what exactly is anxiety, and what is fear. I even recorded a Part 1 and Part 2 podcast episodes on this topic after […]
Rhett Smith 109: Managing and Using Your Anxiety in the New Year
The new near can bring forth a lot of varying emotions from people. In my experience, a large number of people come into the new year very excited about change and all the potential possibilities that await them. It’s often a time to start anew. But there is also a large number of people who […]
Restoration Therapy: Tools, Resources and Strategies for Working with Anxiety
The Anxiety Equation In an earlier post I wrote about a very powerful and transformative therapy experience I had back in 2010. It was one of those therapy sessions where insight was enough to create change. Or at least I should say, the insight alone was enough to create some initial change, but it led […]